Cleaning the Android system: a complete guide to speed up your phone

Has your smartphone started to slow down, open applications slowly, or suddenly run out of power? The reason most often lies in a clogged system: temporary files, remnants of uninstalled apps, duplicate photos and unoptimized cache eat up precious space and processor resources. Even new models like Android Does it start to slow down, open applications slowly, or suddenly run out of battery? The reason most often lies in a clogged system: temporary files, remnants of uninstalled apps, duplicate photos and unoptimized cache eat up precious space and processor resources. Even new models like Samsung Galaxy S24 or Google Pixel 8 after a year of active use begin to work worse without regular cleaning.

In this article you will find 7 proven methods clean the system Android - from standard tools to hidden functions that are not discussed in the instructions. We will look at how to safely remove garbage without damaging important data, and which applications really help (and which are just disguised as “cleaners”). We will pay special attention to clearing the cache Dalvik and ART - these system files take up to 1–3 GB, but they are almost never touched manually.

Spoiler: for 80% of problems, built-in tools are enough Android —no need to install dubious apps or obtain root access. But if you are ready to experiment, we will also show advanced methods.

1. Built-in Android tools: cleaning without third-party apps

Starting Android 8.0 Oreo, powerful self-cleaning tools are integrated into the system. They are hidden in the menu Settings → Storage, but many users ignore them. Let's look at what exactly can be deleted without risk to the system:

• 🗑️ Application cache: temporary files that are created to speed up apps. You can safely clean them - they will be restored automatically the next time you start them.
• 📁 Downloads: the folder where APK files, PDF documents and other downloaded files are accumulated. Often there are gigabytes of unnecessary garbage here.
• 🎬 Media: duplicate photos, screenshots, videos from instant messengers. The system can even find similar pictures with a difference of several pixels.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Storage.
2. Click Free up space (on some firmware — Cleanup or Smart Storage).
3. Select categories of files to delete (for example, Cached data or Unused applications).
4. Confirm cleaning.

App cache (will not affect data)

Downloads older than 30 days

Duplicate photos

Unused APK files

Remains of deleted applications-->

On devices Samsung there is an additional tool - Device Care (in Settings → Device maintenanceIt not only cleans garbage, but also optimizes RAM A. owners Xiaomi function available Deep cleaning in the application Security.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files manually from folders /data or /system via the file manager - this may cause the system to crash. Built-in tools safely determine what can be cleaned and what cannot.

2. Clearing the Dalvik and ART cache: hidden memory reserve

One of the most effective but little-known ways to free up 1-3 GB of memory is to clear the cache Dalvik (for old versions Android) or ART (for new ones) These files are created when you install and update applications, but clearing them will rarely speed up the system, especially if you use them frequently. install/uninstall apps.

How to clean Dalvik/ART:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system.
3. Find the application Google Play Services (or Google Play Services).
4. Open Storage → Clear cache.
5. Reboot device.

For advanced users, there is an alternative method through recovery mode (Recovery Mode):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Power + Volume Up (the combination may vary).
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe cache partition.
4. Confirm the action and reboot.

What are Dalvik and ART?

Dalvik - a virtual machine that was used in Android before the version 5.0 for running applications. ART (Android Runtime) replaced it, offering more efficient code compilation. The cache of these systems stores optimized versions of installed applications, but over time it accumulates and takes up a lot of space.

After clearing the cache ART the first launches of applications may be slower - the system will restore the optimized ones. files. This is normal and temporary.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse Clear cache and Clear data! The second option will delete all application settings (for example, for Google Play Services this will lead to problems with authorization).

3. Removing unnecessary system applications (without root)

Smartphone manufacturers often install pre-loaded applications (bloatware), which cannot be deleted using standard methods. These are apps like Samsung Knox, Mi Browser or Facebook (even if you don’t use it). They take up space and run in the background, consuming battery power.

Fortunately, you can disable (not delete them completely, but make them invisible). and inactive):

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select a tab All applications and find unnecessary ones (for example, Google Play Musicif you are not using it).
3. Click Disable (or Delete updatesif the disable button is inactive).
4. Confirm the action.

List of applications that can be safely disabled on most devices:

• 🎵 Google Play Music (if you use YouTube Music or Spotify)
• 📺 Google TV or Samsung TV Plus (if you don’t watch TV shows)
• 📰 Bixby (on Samsung), Mi Pay (on Xiaomi)
• 🎮 ARCore or Google Play Games (if you do not play mobile games)

For devices Samsung there is a utility Package Disabler (requires ADB), which allows you to disable system applications in bulk. And owners Xiaomi can use the hidden function:

1. Open the application Security.
2. Go to Cleanup → Deep. cleaning.
3. Click on the trash icon in the upper right corner and select Delete pre-installed applications.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling system applications like Google Play Services or Samsung Framework may lead to unstable operation of the phone. experiment, create a backup copy of your data.

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)

Browsers (Mi Browser, Samsung Internet)

Game services (Google Play Games, Game Launcher)

Fitness trackers (S Health, Mi Fit)

Other-->

4. Optimizing startup and background processes

Many applications launch automatically when you turn on the phone and continue to run in the background, using up RAM and charge. batteries. For example, Facebook or VK can consume up to 20% of the charge per day only due to background activity. Disabling startup and limiting background processes will significantly speed up the system.

How to manage startup:

• 📱 On pure Android (Pixel, Motorola): go to Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Advanced → Battery → Background activity and disable it.
• 🤖 On Samsung: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Battery → Optimize.
• 🍎 On Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings → Battery and performance → Manage application launch.

To disable autoloading on a large scale, it is convenient to use the application Greenify (does not require root access on new versions Android). It “freezes” unnecessary apps, preventing them from waking up without your knowledge.

It is also useful to limit the number of background processes:

1. Activate Developer mode (click 7 times on Build number v Settings → About phone).
2. Go to Settings → System → For developers.
3. Find the option Background process limit and set the value Maximum 2 processes.

Application	Typical RAM consumption in background	Is it possible to disable autoloading
Facebook	150–300 MB	Yes
VK	100–200 MB	Yes
Google Play Services	200–500 MB	No (critical for the system)
Miui Daemon (at Xiaomi)	80–150 MB	Partially (may disrupt the operation of themes)

5. Manually cleaning folders: where to look for hidden garbage

Even after using the built-in tools, there are “tails” in the system - files that are not fall under automatic cleaning. They can be found manually through the file manager (for example, Files by Google or Solid Explorer). Here are the key folders to check:

• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/data — application data is often stored here after uninstalling the app. forgot.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Download - downloaded files that you have long forgotten.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/.thumbnails —photo thumbnails that can take up hundreds of megabytes.
• 📂 /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb —game files (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can leave gigabytes of data here even after uninstallation).

How It is safe to clean manually:

1. Install a file manager with access to system folders (for example, FX File Explorer).
2. Go to Manager settings and turn on the display of hidden files.
3. Check folders from the list above. Delete only those files whose names include:
   • 🗑️ cache, temp, tmp
   • 🗑️ .bak, .old, .log
   • 🗑️ Application folders that you deleted long ago

Pay special attention to the folder Android/obb. Files of 1–5 GB from deleted games may be located here. data-i="237">leaves a folder here PUBG Mobile leaves a folder here com.tencent.ig, and Asphalt 9 — com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA9HM.

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete files with extensions .db (databases) or folders of current applications (for example, com.whatsappif you use WhatsApp). This may lead to data loss.

6. Using third-party cleaners: which ones are valid? work

In Google Play hundreds of applications that promise to “speed up Android by 2 times in 1 click.” Most of them are either useless or harmful (show false warnings about viruses in order to sell the premium version). We tested top cleaners and compiled a list of those that really help:

Application	Pros	Cons	Recommendation
Files by Google	Built-in cleaning, no advertising, duplicate analysis	Does not remove deep system files cache	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SD Maid	Deletes application remnants, cleans databases	Requires root for full functionality	⭐⭐⭐⭐
CCleaner	Simple interface, clears cache	Aggressive advertising, collects data	⭐⭐
Norton Clean	Finds well duplicate files	Slow scan, antivirus imposes	⭐⭐⭐

If you decide to use a third-party cleaner, follow the rules:

• 🔍 Check reviews and ratings in Google Play (avoid applications with a rating below 4.0).
• 🛡️ Do not give the application rights administrator or special access (this can be dangerous).
• 📊 Compare scan results with built-in tools. If the cleaner finds “5 GB of garbage” and the system shows 200 MB, this is a scam.

The best option is a combination of Files by Google (for files) and SD Maid (for system garbage). data-i="275">It is better to refuse - they are known for intrusive advertising and selling data. Clean Master or DU Speed Booster It’s better to refuse - they are known for intrusive advertising and selling data.

⚠️ Attention: Some cleaners (for example, 360 Security) may conflict with the firmware Xiaomi or Huawei, causing overheating or rapid battery drain. Check before installation. compatibility on forums (for example, 4PDA).

7. Advanced methods: ADB and cache reset

If the standard methods did not help, and the phone is still slow, it’s time to move on to advanced methods. They require a little technical knowledge, but give maximum effect. Let’s consider two safe ones method:

Method 1: Cleaning via ADB (without root)

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a debugging tool that allows you to manage the system through a computer. Using it, you can remove unnecessary packages or reset the cache of all applications at once.

Instructions:

1. Download Platform Tools from the site Android Developers and unpack the archive.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → System → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to the computer and open the command line in the folder with adb.
4. Enter the commands:

   adb devices (check connection)
   adb shell pm list packages -f (list of all packages)
   adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.app (replace with the name of the unnecessary package)

To reset the cache of all applications at once, use:

adb shell "su -c 'pm trim-caches 9999G'"

Method 2: Resetting the cache in Recovery Mode

This method is useful if the phone becomes very slow after updating the firmware. It does not delete personal data, but clears all temporary system files.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold down the key combination to enter Recovery Mode (usually Power + Volume Up).
3. Select Wipe cache partition (controlled by the volume and power buttons).
4. Confirm the action and reboot the device.

These methods are especially useful for devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), where standard cleaning tools may not work correctly.

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands starting with su, require root access. Without them, these commands will not work. Do not confuse adb shell (works without root) and adb shell su (requires root).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cleaning Android

Is it possible to clear the cache of all applications at once?

Yes, it is safe. Cache is temporary files that are created to speed up the operation of apps. After cleaning, they will be restored the next time you start them. For mass clearing, use:

1. Settings → Storage → Cache data (on some). firmware).
2. ADB command: adb shell "pm trim-caches 9999G".

The exception is the game cache (for example, Genshin Impact), which will have to be downloaded again.

Why did the phone run slower after cleaning?

This is a temporary phenomenon. After clearing the cache ART/Dalvik the system needs time to restore the optimized files. Usually 1-2 reboots are enough, and the speed will return to normal. If the brakes remain, check:

• 🔋 CPU load Settings → Battery (perhaps some application is consuming too many resources).
• 📱 Phone temperature (overheating reduces performance).

How to clean Google Play Services without consequences?

The cache Google Play Services can be cleared safely, but do not delete data this application Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage.
2. Click Clear cache.
3. Restart your phone.

If after cleaning there are problems with authorization or notifications, check your account settings Google and synchronization.

What files can be deleted from the folder Android/obb?

In the folder obb Additional game and application data is stored. Here you can delete:

• 🎮 Folders of games that you have long deleted (for example, com.supercell.clashofclans for Clash of Clans).
• 📦 Files with the extension .obbif the corresponding application has been deleted.

Do not delete folders of current games - this will lead to crashes or re-downloading of data.

Does it need to be cleaned Android weekly?

No, it is enough to do this once every 1-3 months, on the contrary, it can slow down the work, since the system will constantly restore temporary files. The exception is if you actively install/uninstall applications or play heavy games (in this case, clear the cache once every 2 weeks).

Now your Androidsmartphone should work noticeably faster. If the brakes remain, check CPU load in the battery settings - perhaps a specific application is to blame. And if the phone is older than 3-4 years, consider reset to factory settings or installation easy firmware (for example, LineageOS without Google Apps).